Medical research has shown that sedating antihistamines interfere with driving and workplace safety and worker productivity.
Approximately 20 million employed adults suffer from allergic rhinitis (season allergies). If you are one of those allergy sufferers, it’s important to keep in mind your safety, your co-workers, and those with whom you interact.
Allergy symptoms such as watery eyes, stuffy nose, sneezing and fatigue impact worker performance and productivity. However, the side effects of over-the-counter sedating antihistamines can have a much more serious impact on a work environment. According to a clinical study by the Group Health Cooperative of Puget Sound, people using non-prescription sedating antihistamines are 50 percent more likely to have a work-related accident than people who use non-sedating antihistamines and natural remedies. Those individuals who drive or operate heavy machinery need to be particularly careful.
Sedating antihistamines can cause drowsiness and decreased driving safety – it’s not only our safety that’s at risk! Other adverse effects include mood and motivation alterations, diminished performance of clerical tasks and altered cognitive functions. Studies have shown that equivalency rates for sedating antihistamines have been shown to be comparable to a .05 blood alcohol rate.
If you receive a prescription for allergy symptoms, a cold or flu, be sure to ask your health care provider about the medication’s side effects and how they may impact your job performance. You may also ask about drug alternatives that safely manage symptoms and, most importantly, ask for help in correcting the cause of your allergies.
Important facts to consider:
Patients taking sedating antihistamines are less likely to recognize their impaired functioning. This places them and others at increased risk of harm.
Employees who use non-prescription medication say they most often miss work because of drowsiness.
22.4 million workdays are lost due to treatment with over-the-counter sedating antihistamines.
When you combine the cost of missed workdays with reduced productivity, it is estimated that companies can lose an average of $2,000 a year per allergy sufferer.
36 percent of employees don’t know the difference between sedating and non-sedating antihistamines.
A recent Gallup consumer survey indicated that patients would rather live with their allergy symptoms than endure the sedating effect of their allergy medications.
The average number of work days employees report they’re affected by allergies during the year is 68.7.
One study estimates the loss of time on the job due to the use of over-the-counter sedating antihistamines at 22.4 million workdays annually.
Our DUI laws apply to drivers impaired by alcohol and illegal drugs, as well as many over-the-counter and prescription medications commonly used to treat allergies, chronic pain and even the common cold.
Read the Label- Sedating medications carry warnings such as “may cause drowsiness” or “avoid driving a motor vehicle or operating equipment.”
It’s important to emphasize that allergies are a result of a compromised immune system – that’s why many people are not at all affected. If you’re one of the ones who are affected by seasonal allergies, it’s time to do some serious “spring cleaning” and get professional advice to rebuild your immune system before your allergies are more than seasonal.
Don’t put your health and those around you at risk, seek professional help for non-drug relief from symptoms, but most importantly find the causes, Naturally.
This and subsequent articles are for the purpose of education and to provide support to the millions afflicted with allergies and multiple chemical sensitivity syndromes. To share your stories of challenges, solutions and experiences involving living with multiple chemical sensitivities, as well as any negative experiences with drug side effects or negative experiences in receiving health care, please mail or fax your story to:
Gloria Gilbére, N.D., D.A.Hom., Ph.D.
Gilbére Research Associates • P.O. Box 1565 • Sandpoint,
ID 83864 • USA
Office phone 1-360-352-3646 (7:30am-3pm Pacific Time, Mon-Fri)
Fax: 1-208-265-1777
info@gloriagilbere.com
